The Mortar Foundation Inc

Foundation · Grantmaker Sausalito, CA EIN: 30-0510976

The Mortar Foundation Inc is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Sausalito, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $3.1M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 11 grants totaling $185K. Net investment income was $158K.

Key facts about The Mortar Foundation Inc

EIN: 30-0510976
Latest 990 filing: Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024): $184,668
Grants made (2024): 11
Average grant: $16,788
Median grant: $2,500
New grantees (estimate): 36% first-time grantees (4 of 11, 2024)
Total assets: $3,116,097
Primary geography: California (80% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).

Who The Mortar Foundation Inc funds

By grant dollars, the top recipient states for The Mortar Foundation Inc's 11 itemized 2024 grants were California (80%), Virginia (14%) and Maryland (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were San Francisco, CA (3 grants). None of its 11 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support.

Is The Mortar Foundation Inc open to new grantees?

36%

first-time grantees, 2024

In 2024, 4 of 11 grantees (36%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $14K; repeat grants $18K. How we count

Medians: $15K first-time, $622 repeat.

64% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
Giving grew 349% from 2021 to 2024. Method
In 2024 it paid out 209% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2019–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.

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Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$3.1M

+4.0% YoY

Annual Giving

$185K

-1.1% YoY

Grant Count

-15.4% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$17K

+16.9% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Mortar Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $147K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

About The Mortar Foundation Inc

Based on IRS filings

Focus Areas

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

California $148K (80%)

Virginia $25K (14%)

Maryland $10K (5%)

Connecticut $622 (0%)

Rhode Island $468 (0%)

Share of all 11 itemized 2024 grant dollars.

States

California Connecticut Massachusetts Maryland Nevada New York Rhode Island Virginia

Cities

San FranciscoOaklandArlingtonLos AngelesSanta MonicaNew YorkNewtonLas VegasNewtownProvidenceSausalitoSomervilleAlexandriaLoa AngelesMill ValleySan ClementeSan RafaelSilver Spring

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	$3,116,097	$2,994,862	$3,005,263
Revenue	$189,120	$43,459	$225,327
Expenses	$338,071	$380,943	$282,436
Qualifying Distributions	$306,875	$343,121	$236,182
Net Investment Income	$157,924	$53,976	$191,444
Distributable Amount	$146,946	$142,335	$155,508

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

March 2, 2026 IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

Grant Size Distribution

61 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include She Recovers Foundation ($100,107), Hispanics in Philanthropy-HipGive ($25,000), Salvation Army ($25,000).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
She Recovers Foundation Los Angeles, CA	Support causes for women	$100,107
Hispanics in Philanthropy-HipGive Oakland, CA	Further the Hispanic and Latino Community	$25,000
Salvation Army Alexandria, VA	The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.	$25,000
About-Face San Francisco, CA	About-Face equips teen girls with knowledge and tools to question media messages and support their mental health.	$20,000
Florence Crittenton Services Silver Spring, MD	Empowers teen girls to overcome obstacles, make positive choices, and achieve their goals through programs in schools throughout the Greater Washington area.Through our programs, teen girls learn to value their gifts and develop essential life skills. Most importantly, they attain a belief in their ability to succeed.	$10,000
Access Institute for Psychological San Francisco, CA	Assist in mental health	$2,500
Sandy Hook Promise Foundation Newton, CT	Curb gun violence in schools	$622
Nature Conservancy Arlington, VA	Protect and preserve the environment	$480
Plan International USA Providence, RI	Girls rights organization	$468
KQED Public Media San Francisco, CA	Support local public television & radio	$300

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
Paula Viragh-Williams	CEO	35	$107,000
Amanda Viragh	Vice President	—	—
Charlotte Williams	Secretary	—	—
Georgia Williams	CFO	—	—

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Mortar Foundation Inc?

The Mortar Foundation Inc is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Sausalito, CA. It holds $3.1M in total assets as of 2024.

How large is The Mortar Foundation Inc?

As of 2024, The Mortar Foundation Inc holds $3.1M in total assets with $189K in annual revenue. It awarded 11 grants totaling $185K in 2024.

Where does The Mortar Foundation Inc operate?

The Mortar Foundation Inc has awarded grants in California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, Nevada, New York, Rhode Island, Virginia.

What size grants does The Mortar Foundation Inc award?

In 2024, The Mortar Foundation Inc awarded 11 grants totaling $185K — an average of about $17K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is The Mortar Foundation Inc required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Mortar Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $147K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.